WHAT: Carestream will showcase its contract manufacturing capabilities for a wide range of markets at the 2016 FLEX Conference and Exhibition (Booth 100). The company’s high-precision coating services feature robust quality control systems backed by industry expertise, which can dramatically improve the performance and economics of flexible, printed and hybrid electronics coatings.

Carestream produces a variety of functional films for use in electronics such as display, lighting and batteries. Examples include thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), transparent conductive, haptic, hardcoat, light management, adhesive films and more. Carestream Clear Hardcoat Film features a proprietary formulation usable on many substrates, which imparts a durable, scratch-resistant surface that looks like glass. Carestream experts will be on site or available by phone in advance of the conference to provide updates on the company’s electronics coating capabilities.

WHERE: Monterey Marriott Hotel, Monterey, CA

WHEN: Monday, Feb. 29-Thursday, March 3

About Carestream Contract ManufacturingCarestream Contract Manufacturing offers precision contract coating services, specializing in the application of aqueous and solvent coatings on flexible substrates for a wide range of industrial, medical, electronic and other advanced materials applications. Our engineers and material scientists build on more than 100 years of coating leadership to deliver problem-solving expertise in precision coating applications, including fluid design and preparation. State-of-the-art pilot coaters also make Carestream an ideal partner for product development and rapid scale-up to large volume. As a focus of its corporate growth initiatives, Carestream also enters joint ventures and partnerships that capitalize on its precision coating capabilities and technologies.

Full-year 2015 GAAP results were negatively impacted by $.07 per diluted share, after-tax, from a combination of the following: a favorable disposition of Fox River-related claims/litigation; gain on the sale of two metal end plants and favorable tax reserve adjustments, which were more than offset by foreign exchange driven asset impairments in Venezuela; charges for restructuring costs, asset impairment charges, acquisition-related and environmental remediation expenses; and professional fees to investigate and correct the financial misstatements at the Irapuato packaging center. Prior-year results were negatively impacted by $.22 per diluted share, after-tax, primarily composed of restructuring-related charges and acquisition expenses.

Full-year 2015 base earnings were $2.51 per diluted share, up 4.2 percent from $2.41 per diluted share in 2014. Sonoco previously guided full-year base earnings to be in the range of $2.46 to $2.51 per diluted share.

Net sales for 2015 were $4.96 billion, down 1 percent from $5.02 billion in 2014.

Cash flow from operations for 2015 was $453 million, up 8.4 percent from $418 million in 2014. Free cash flow was $155 million, compared to $120 million in 2014.

2016 Guidance and Common Stock Repurchase Program

Full-year 2016 base earnings are projected to be in the range of $2.64 and $2.74 per diluted share, with a targeted mid-point of $2.69 per diluted share.

Base earnings for the first quarter of 2016 are projected to be in the range of $.57 to $.62 per diluted share. Base earnings in the first quarter of 2015 were $.54 per diluted share. As a result of the Company’s accounting calendar, the first quarter of 2016 will contain 94 days, six more than in 2015, and the fourth quarter will contain 90 days, five fewer than in 2015.

2016 free cash flow is projected to be approximately $140 million.

Sonoco’s Board of Directors approved repurchasing up to $100 million in common stock in open market transactions beginning immediately. The Board also restored the Company’s residual share repurchase authorization to its original five million shares.

Fourth Quarter Comments“Despite diverging global economic conditions and headwinds stemming from the continued strength of the U.S. dollar, Sonoco put up solid results led by record fourth quarter performances in our Consumer Packaging and Protective Solutions segments, partially offset by lower results in our Paper and Industrial Converted Products segment,” said Sonoco President and Chief Executive Officer Jack Sanders. “Overall, gains from a positive price/cost relationship; volume growth, particularly in our Consumer Packaging and Protective Solutions segments; acquisition earnings; and a lower effective tax rate more than offset a negative mix in some of our businesses, the impact of foreign currency translation and higher labor, pension, maintenance and other operating costs.

“Operating profit in our Consumer Packaging segment improved just over 8 percent and reached a record for the fifth consecutive quarter. This quarter’s improvement was a result of a positive price/cost relationship, acquisition earnings and solid volume growth, partially offset by higher pension and other operating costs, lower manufacturing productivity and unfavorable exchange rate changes. Operating profits in our Display and Packaging segment showed significant improvement due to a positive/price cost relationship, manufacturing productivity improvements and the reimbursement of excess costs by a customer.

“Operating profit in our Paper and Industrial Converted Products segment declined 32.4 percent from the prior-year quarter. More than half of the negative variance for the segment was directly related to the impact of declining market conditions on our one corrugating medium paper machine with the balance essentially stemming from unfavorable exchange rates changes and higher pension expense.

Toray Plastics (America), Inc., (www.toraytpa.com), the only United States manufacturer of polypropylene, polyester, metallized, and bio-based films, has developed a bio-based bi-axially oriented polyester (BOPET) film for use in the manufacture of solar control window films for commercial and residential applications. New Lumirror® brand BioViewTM PET film is manufactured with Toray's proprietary sustainable resin blends, which are made with approximately 30 percent renewable feedstock. The BioViewTM bio-based PET film's performance is equal to that of traditional solar window films during solar film manufacturing, installation, and use in technically demanding applications that require exceptional optical clarity. Toray Plastics is the global leader in the manufacture of traditional films, made with or without UV protection, used for solar window film applications. The company has been on the leading edge of bio-based resin technology and plans to produce polyester film to be used in the manufacture of solar control window film that is made entirely of sustainable feedstock. A patent is pending for the new film.

"This is a very exciting development for window film technology and for the commercial and residential building markets," says Milan Moscaritolo, Senior Sales and Marketing Director of the Lumirror Division. "The construction industry continues to look for innovative ways to help developers reduce energy costs. Creating a film that lessens the impact on the environment, without sacrificing solar protection performance, was the natural next step in the evolution of the technology. The BioViewTM film represents a perfect marriage between an environment-friendly film and an energy-saving application."

Moscaritolo also reports that in 2014, when Toray installed the finished bio-based solar window film at office and manufacturing plant locations on its 70-acre campus in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, the installation was seamless and the film's performance has been excellent. He notes that Toray's use of bio-based solar window film is another component of the company's multi-faceted sustainability program and further burnishes its environment-friendly profile.

New BioViewTM bio-based film is a multi-layer structure with surface and optical qualities that are strictly controlled by Toray's proprietary co-extrusion technology. It is notable for its very low haze, excellent handling and processing characteristics, and high scratch resistance.

For more information about Toray Plastics (America)'s new BioViewTM bio-based film used in the manufacture of solar control window films for commercial and residential applications, contact Mary Gervais at mary.gervais@toraytpa.com or 401-667-2281.

Image Caption: Toray Plastics (America), Inc., announces the introduction of new BioViewTM film, a technological breakthrough in the development of bio-based bi-axially oriented polyester (BOPET) film for solar control window films used in commercial and residential applications.

Thin Film Electronics ASA, a global leader in printed electronics and smart systems, today announced a partnership with Constantia Flexibles, one of the world's leading manufacturers of flexible packaging and labels. The two companies are collaborating to deliver pressure-sensitive labels using Thinfilm’s NFC OpenSense™ technology to leading brands within the beverage industries for consumer engagement and mobile marketing applications.

As part of the partnership, Thinfilm received a 6-figure unit order from Constantia for NFC OpenSense. The partners are now working closely to create key manufacturing and application processes for incorporating NFC OpenSense technology into wine, spirit, and beverage labels as well as flexible packaging for consumer packaged goods (CPG).

NFC OpenSense tags are thin, flexible labels that can detect both a product’s “factory sealed” and “opened” states and wirelessly communicate contextual content to consumers with the tap of an NFC-enabled smartphone. Each tag is uniquely identifiable and, when combined with a custom app and cloud-based software, enables item-level communication to a “market of one.” In addition, the tags remain active even after a product’s factory seal has been broken, empowering brands to engage in consumer dialogue that extends beyond the point-of-sale and continues throughout the product’s lifetime, including the opportunity to repurchase.

“Constantia Flexibles is excited to help bring Thinfilm’s NFC OpenSense technology to the label marketplace ,” says Mike Henry, exec vp-Label Div. at Constantia Flexibles. “We have been collaborating with Thinfilm for over a year and are convinced our companies share an innovative DNA that will lead to real market differentiation.”

The label-focused initiatives are being managed by Constantia Flexibles’ Label Division. These collaborative efforts aim to position Constantia Flexibles as a leading Thinfilm preferred converter partner moving forward.

“We are very pleased to be partnering with one of the premier flexible packaging and label firms in the industry,” adds Davor Sutija, CEO of Thinfilm. “We look forward to leveraging Constantia Flexibles’ expertise in order to optimize processes for the integration of NFC OpenSense into packaging and make this powerful technology accessible to their clients.”

Korean converting and printing machinery provider Sung An Machinery will hold an Open House at its new SAM Korea Solution Coating Technology Center on April 22. The event, set just prior to Chinaplas 2016 in Shanghai, China, will feature the new SAM Lab 3 coating line.

This facility, home to the new SAM Solution Coating Lab, is a semi-production facility designed for customer product development trials, demonstrations, tollcoating, solution coating trials and internal research and development. SAM PE Labs (SPEL), presently located in the main production area, will be relocated to this facility and allow for addition assembly floor space and consolidate the technical centers.

SAM R&D Center’s new building is 15,600-sq-ft and is a cleanroom facility for precise optical film coating. The center is fully equipped with analytic instruments, such as a high-accuracy peel strength tester, optical property measuring system and humidity chamber.

Mr. Ryu has been named as the Director of SAM Solution Coating Lab and has more than two decades of coating industry experience ranging from optical to functional conductive film for touch screen applications. He will have a staff of five highly trained engineers and technicians to effectively serve SAM’s customer demands.

SAM Solution Coating Lab’s pilot-coating machine will be fully installed in March 2016 and will be managed by Mr. Y.B. Kim. The machine is designed for running water- and solvent-based, 100% solids, and hot-melt coatings with a maximum width of 1,060 mm at 600 mpm (bypass speeds up to 1,000 mpm). It will have modular coating capabilities of slot-die, microgravure, pressurized chamber doctor blade, direct/reverse/offset gravure, S-knife (comma), reverse-roll, semi-flexo, 5-roll and transfer roll to start.

The line includes a 22-meter, 7-zone flotation and roll support dryer, one of the largest and most versatile in the industry. Unique features of the machine are automatic turrets at the primary unwind and winder for continuous running. Additional features include a secondary unwind for wet and dry laminations, corona treatment, web cleaning and UV curing.

The SAM factory site in Hwaseung City is one hour south of Seoul. To attend, the Open House, SAM recommends to confirm your participation by April 6. More info: sales@sungan.net, www.sungan.net, +82-31-491-9741.

AGL announces its 20th anniversary in the wide-format and industrial laminator marketplace. In the early 1950s, Robert L. Greig of Stoughton, WI, introduced the very first sheet-fed laminator to the industrial market. Since that time, customers have come to recognize that the Greig name on the laminator means quality, reliability and performance.

The Buisker family purchased the engineering and inventory from Bob Greig in 1995 and continued Bob’s legacy for designing and engineering robust laminators for the wide format graphics industry. In 1999, AGL moved in their headquarters located in Deforest, WI, and continued expanding the product line to include one of the most comprehensive brands in laminators today.

In 2001, AGL introduced its films division supplying consumable laminates, mounting adhesives and backing materials to the industry. This accomplished a one stop shop for the benefit of those customers that prefer a single source supplier for their laminating needs. Over the years the Cover-Rite, Mount-Smart and Shadow-Block trade marks have become a trusted brand among graphics professionals. In 2006, AGL introduced the Print-Rite line of media for the same industry. Thereby expanding the concept of the single source supplier.

AGL is known for its diverse graphic laminator product line. It all began with the flagship laminator, the AGL 6400. A bi-directional, multi-shaft laminator with pneumatic tension control designed for the high volume continuous use graphic providers. The robust design of this laminator has proven itself in the wide-format graphics industry for over 15 years.

The next laminator designed was the 64i, which incorporated revolutionary new features allowing operators to utilize more process control and eliminate waste. Some of these innovative features are; “Easy Web” infeed table, RTS (Repeatable Tension System) and the Curl Cam which allows for allows for processing unique film combinations. The features may be seen in detail at the following URL, http://www.aglinc.com/agl_64i.htm.

The Encore series of laminators offers a unique opportunity for the entrepreneur seeking print finishing solutions for moderate demand facilities. There are four models in the product line to meet a variety of production as well as budgetary objectives. They are the Encore NH, Encore SH, Encore DHR and the Encore Maxim.

The most recent addition to the AGL product line is the Patriot. The Patriot laminator is designed to specifically address the issues associated with finishing UV, Latex and Solvent based printing technologies. With AGL’s Proprietary nip roll design and the Industries best heating system, this Laminator solves the problems associated with poor laminate adhesion and silvering. This laminator incorporates features such as fully pneumatic tension control system, cantilevered material supply stations and swing up infeed table.

ePac, LLC, a joint partnership between Arion Partners, LLC and Emerald Packaging, Inc., today announced it would begin operations in Madison, Wisconsin in April 2016. The new company is dedicated to the growing short-run, multiple SKU, quick-turn flexible packaging market. ePac, is the first “greenfield,” flexible-packaging company in North America based exclusively on a digital technology platform. Building on Emerald Packaging Inc.’s success as the first flexible-packaging HP Indigo 20000 beta in the US, this new partnership marks a significant commitment to the growth of digital printing. With the HP Indigo 20000 as the print platform, complimentary front-end workflow and down-stream finishing systems have been engineered to leverage the unique value provided by digital technology.

ePac digital solutions will provide consumer packaged goods companies (CPGs) the ability to rapidly produce test market packaging, quickly roll-out marketing promotions, and eliminate excess inventory through print-on-demand and design-to-print services.Arion Partners’ Jack Knott, Virag Patel, and Carl Joachim will serve as the management team for ePac. Knott has an extensive background in creating and managing flexible packaging companies, most recently with Exopack Holdings Corp. and Coveris Holdings. Patel has significant experience in global market development for Exopack and Coveris, while Joachim has successfully developed production digital printing businesses for Xerox, Océ and Ricoh.

ePac is the evolution of initial entry into digital printing by Emerald Packaging through a joint venture with OEC Graphics. According to Kevin Kelly, CEO of Emerald Packaging, “We’ve proven there is a market for digital flexible packaging. To capitalize on that success it makes sense to form an entity entirely dedicated to this business model as opposed to one attached to an analog printer. With the significant expertise brought by the Arion team, we’re confident that our growth in digital will rapidly accelerate.”

Jemmco announces the official opening of its new office and manufacturing facility, located in Mequon, WI. With over a 20% growth in manufacturing square footage, the new facility will enhance the company’s capabilities to facilitate Jemmco’s expanding product line.

“Jemmco’s expanded facility not only means more space for our growing company, but enhanced capacity to satisfy existing customers and more opportunity to continue developing unique solutions for our clients through our focused R&D efforts. We have a number of new products already in the making and are excited to continue down this path,” explains Jemmco CFO Jeff Opad.

Jemmco, LLC is a leading supplier to the extrusion and web converting industries, offering a complete line of equipment and supplies for processing paper, film and foils. In addition to a full line of Dyne Pens & Solutions, Jemmco offers a full line of Disposable Roller Coverings- including JemmTron Silicone Treater Sleeves, JemmTac Web Cleaning Sleeves, JemmTrac Traction Sleeves and JemmSil Release Sleeves. Jemmco also features our JemmTac Web Cleaning Systems and carries a full line of cleaning and maintenance products.

Karlstein, Germany-based SCHMID Vacuum Technology GmbH, a company specialized for high-vacuum machine manufacturing within the SCHMID Group, has successfully completed the final acceptance test of the first FlexBlue high-vacuum web coating system at the end of November 2015. The system has been run for a variety of different applications, including the deposition of ITO sputter-coated touch-panel films and other functional layers, at a leading Chinese manufacturer of optical and electrical films, a branch of Shantou Wanshun Package Material Stock Co., Ltd.

"With the knowledge and passion of our experts it became possible to develop, design and build such multi-purpose and very complex machines, and to put them into operation. The success of these activities reconfirms our company strategy", says Helmut Rauch, Managing Director of SCHMID Vacuum Technology GmbH. "This defines another significant milestone, underlining SCHMID's expertise to setup new technologies in innovative markets."

The customer, Shantou Wanshun Package Material Stock Co., Ltd., chose SCHMID to strengthen his position in the emerging markets. Since coating technologies are more than ever subject to rapid change, the need to respond to such change is greater than ever before.

Martin Poellmann, director of sales at SCHMID Vacuum Technology GmbH, highlights the advantages of the system that coats polymer films up to a width of 1,700 mm and a length of typically 2,000 m and well above - depending on the application - with a thin layer stack of up to five layers: "The machine design allows the competitive and economic coating of technical layer stacks. Due to the well-engineered gas separation factors between the coating compartments, plus the best dynamic deposition rates in the market of roll-to-roll coaters, the productivity of the FlexBlue is proven at a high level." The FlexBlue system´s flexibility to various applications offers an outperforming advantage to the customer.

The FlexBlue is capable of providing layer stacks, by means of reactive and non-reactive processes under vacuum, to serve different markets (see chart).

Poellmann concludes, "After a period of optimization of various processes, we have achieved our goal to qualify the FlexBlue for diverse applications. We are very proud of the qualification of this complex system and happy to have transferred the FlexBlue into production."

“Earnings per share , on a constant currency basis increased 10.2% reflecting strong profit growth and thebenefit of a US$500 million share buy-back completed during the period. Cash generation was solid andreturns remained above 20%.“All Amcor business units performed well during the half year. The key drivers of strong earnings growthwere higher volumes in both the Rigid Plastics and Tobacco Packaging businesses. There were alsobenefits from recent acquisitions and continued improvement in operating performance.“Since 30 June 2015, the business has announced or completed six acquisitions in the USA, South Africa,Brazil, China and India. This is an important component of Amcor’s growth strategy and we continue to findopportunities that deliver strong value for shareholders.

“Amcor has a strong foundation to build on, and an excellent track record of ongoing improvement. Amcoris well positioned in an increasingly dynamic world and has substantial opportunities to leverage the existingportfolio to generate growth.

“The Rigid Plastics business had an outstanding half year with earnings up 10% and returns above 20%.There was strong volume growth in the North American operations with higher volumes in all the mainproduct segments, and continued earnings growth in Latin America.

Outlook“The full year outlook is for higher earnings than the 2014/15 year, expressed in constant currency terms.”